When you cast Caustic Smite, your weapon becomes enveloped in a sizzling aura of corrosive acid. The next time you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack during this spell’s duration, your weapon seethes with acidic energy, and the attack deals an extra 1d6 acid damage to the target. Additionally, the target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, it suffers an ongoing 1d6 acid damage at the start of each of its turns for the duration. The target can make a Constitution saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Caustic Smite imbues a paladin’s weapon with the destructive power of acid, not only enhancing their physical strikes with immediate damage but also threatening their foes with the peril of acid’s lingering burn. This spell underscores a paladin’s ability to wield the elements themselves as weapons against the forces of evil, embodying the relentless and consuming nature of their divine justice.

When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the initial extra damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 1st.